Sep 15, 2010

I have to be honest, never in my wildest dreams would I have ever considered buying someone else's old used sheets if not for blog land.

Had I not seen them laundered, hanging on the line, blowing in the breeze and then neatly folded in piles of softness, I would not have looked twice as I passed them in Thrift Stores.

Now that I know, that's the first place I head...scouring through bedspreads and coverlets, afghans and bumper pads, hunting and searching for that hint of color and design that speaks to me.

So now, I have a growing pile of my own. Waiting to be used in a new dress for sweet Emily, an apron for a friend, a vintage quilt, a pillow or even as a soft, freshly laundered sheet to snuggle under.

There is an unmistakable beauty in vintage that cannot be produced in the new...

Just as there is a loveliness that comes with age...that has not been earned by the young.

Sep 13, 2010

Don't ask me why but I've been having this ongoing infatuation with Chicken Fried Steak...

I mean, how can you go wrong?

You mix the best part of fried chicken...

With steak.

I first indulged in this fantasy about a year ago at a well know Chicken Restaurant in the area. I dare to admit that I'm really not that fond of their fried chicken (heresy I know), so I thought I would try their chicken fried steak.

I took one bite and almost lost my lunch...

How could something that sounds so perfect end up so wrong? (Sounds like a few of my pre-marriage relationships. lol)

Still not satisfied that my infatuation was doused, I knew when I saw a recipe in my Pioneer Woman cookbook I would give it a try myself...I mean, PW wouldn't steer me wrong...She said every cowboy would fall in love with me if I made it for them (loose translation, not a guarantee)...

So last night, under much protest from dear hubby, I rustled us up some Chicken Fried Steak...

Sorry, PW...
I'm sure it was not your recipe but...

The infatuation is definitely over...

If the first few bites didn't convince me, then my rumbling, up all night stomach did. I think I even felt Bear tossing and turning more than usual last night.

Sep 11, 2010

I hope with your cup of coffee this morning, you are enjoying the fall like temperatures we are experiencing here.

I debated whether or not to do a 9-11 post this morning.

Not because I wasn't sure it was worthy...

as proud Americans,that morning is forever etched in our minds...

but because the news surrounding it this year is so filled with hate.

I prayed for something to share with you and as is my routine, while my coffee was brewing, I opened up one of my favorite blogsites Living Proof Ministries, to find the most beautiful post on Compassion International.

I was reminded that while there is much anger (rightly so at those who terrorize) and hate (unjustly so) toward those that are different, there is also much to be learned and gained in helping those less fortunate and in need.

My devotional this morning is from John 13:4, 14-15,

"So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him....And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."

In My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers says, "Ministering as Opportunity Surrounds Us. This does not mean selecting our surroundings, it means being very selectly God's in any haphazard surroundings which He engineers for us. The characteristics we manifest in our immediate surroundings are indications of what we will be like in other surroundings."

He goes on to say, "The things that Jesus did were of the most menial and commonplace order, and this is an indication that it takes all God's power in me to do the most commonplace things in His way. Can I use a towel as He did?"

What does your "towel" look like and are you using it as Jesus did? Are you using it right were you are and not waiting until you go on a "mission" trip?